ADAHRS Tailcone Tray

A while back I designed a tray to install the Dynon ADAHRS units in the tailcone.

For those of you who don't know these are little boxes that tell the airplane it's speed, altitude, rate of climb, angle of attack, pitch, roll, yaw, etc. They are very sensitive devices that cannot be installed near any magnetic material...more importantly any moving magnetic (ferrous) material. The control rod bolts installed in the lower portion of the tail could cause errors in the readings if installed too close and these are very important readings. The ADAHRS units must also be installed straight and level in relation to the aircraft. A small 1 degree difference is all that is allowed between it and the airplane. Think of these boxes as my airplanes sensing center that tells the brain (EFIS) what's going on. I am installing two of the units one is a backup to the other. The two units constantly cross check each other for full redundancy in the system. If one goes down I flag will pop up on my control screen.

I designed the tray to install in the top of the tailcone hanging from the upper stringers. The tray was made from scrap 6061-T6 aluminum and channel. All the rivets are solid aluminum #3 button head rivets. I used my iPhone's inclinometer to install the tray at the same plane as the door frame longerons which are the straight and level flight reference point on the RV-10. The tray after installation measured in the same plane as the longerons on all axes.

Date and Time
Mon 17th -7.75hrs- Worked on canopy sanding, built and primed the ADAHRS tray.

This is the 3D model I made to design the tray.

I ran an analysis on my design and it easily passes a 10g crash load.

Here are a few pictures of the actual tray. It will be installed with 4 rivets on each side into the upper stringers.

I have a few full size prints to help people make the parts if they want to. You should be able to click the links below and it will download my PDF file from my Google Drive. If you print the PDF on an 11x17 paper it will be full size. Check the measurements on the drawing after you printed to verify it's a true 1:1 scale. These should be all you need along with my pictures above to do the install. Also, a helpful note, after I printed the plate drawing full scale I just spray mounted it to my aluminum sheet and then just cut and match drilled to the printed lines....worked really well.

Link to Bottom Plate Drawing

Link to Side Plate Drawing

Panel Plan Rev 2

I updated the plan. Rearranged the avionics behind the panel, added an independent mini efis, and changed to the Garmin 650.

I swapped the location of the MFD and Garmin box, which has now changed to the GTN 650 to include ILS and VOR capabilities. I also added the AvMap mini efis/adahrs, it's a standalone system completely independent of the Dynon Skyview and has it's own Pitot/Static input for airspeed and altitude readouts. I also added a second iPad mini for passenger (wife) entertainment. Behind the panel mounted iPad will be a small "glove box" storage compartment. The iPad mounted to the center console will be running Foreflight.

This is a diagram showing all the avionics, instruments, and antennas required for the aircraft. This does not include: switches, probes, lights, or sensors. Note changes: Garmin 650 instead of 635 and added the Mini Efis.

This is a diagram showing the location of each component along with other view orientations.
Note:
- All of the components have been moved onto or aft of the subpanel.
- The VP-X will be mounted on a plate that spans the instrument panel lower angle and sub panel lip. This allows easy access to the component for the large quantity of wiring that will be going to it.
- The ribs do not need to be modified. Only the subpanel will need to be modified to allow the GTN 650 installation.
- The Transceiver and Transponder are mounted directly to the existing tunnel cover side by side.
- The new center console will be made from fiberglass and can be relatively thin since the only thing that is installing to it is the iPad mini.

This is the plan for now...and is still subsequent to change at any time : )

Instrument Panel Plan

I found myself constantly wondering what to do about the instrument panel and all the avionics. The question constantly popped into my head and it was followed with more questions. Do I just build the upper forward fuselage section and worry about all the avionics later? Will it all fit? Do I want to buy or build a center console? Stock panel or expensive aftermarket panel? Layout? Shape? Size? Install now or wait? etc...etc... So I decided to model the entire system to allow me to formulate a plan and resolve a lot of the questions and concerns I had.
So here is my plan...


This is the 3D model I created to show the aircraft structure and how I want to integrate my avionics; a Dynon Skyview system with a Vertical Power ECB and a Garmin GTN 635. I will be using Van's instrument panel and new fuel selector. I will be making the center console, side console closeout panel, and fuel valve enclosure. The center console mounts an iPad mini that is removable, and when removed reveals a small storage compartment for sunglasses etc. The instruments and avionics are shown below.

This is a diagram showing all the avionics, instruments, and antennas required for the aircraft. This does not include: switches, probes, lights, or sensors.

This is a diagram showing the location of each component along with other view orientations.
Note:
- There are mount angles attached to the ribs directly aft of the firewall. These angles are there to install the panels shown. The panels stand off the firewall 1.0in (no new holes in the firewall) and will be lined on the forward side with sound proofing. The other advantage to having the removable panels in this area is the avionics can be mounted to the panel, outside the aircraft, and then the panel screwed into place.
- The VP-X will be mounted on a plate that spans the instrument panel lower angle and sub panel lip. This allows easy access to the component for the large quantity of wiring that will be going to it.
- The ribs do not need to be modified. Only the subpanel will need to be modified to allow the GTN 635 installation.
- The Transceiver and Transponder are mounted directly to the existing tunnel cover side by side.
- The new center console will be made from fiberglass and can be relatively thin since the only thing that is installing to it is the iPad mini.

This is the plan for now...subsequent to change at any time : )